CAFTA-DR TCB

To foster trade and development in innovative new ways, the U.S. free trade agreement with the Dominican Republic and five Central American countries includes a Trade Capacity Building Committee. Each country identifies its needs in a "National Action Plan for Trade Capacity Building." In turn, donors respond with ideas for projects. Donors include: U.S. Government agencies, international institutions, corporations and non-governmental organizations.  The CAFTA-DR Committee on Trade Capacity Building (TCB) recognizes the importance of promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and adjusting to liberalized trade. This committee ensures that TCB activities respond to needs identified by the CAFTA-DR countries in their "National Action Plans." The Committee on TCB has met three times, most recently in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in November 2008.  The next meeting is scheduled for fall 2009 in Washington, D.C.  The committee for the United States is co-chaired by the USTR and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).